Chapter 47

Aina and her mother Stella moved into the second floor of the store.

The furniture we bought with a bit of extra effort seemed to be to their liking.

I, who had been living alone for a long time, would now be living with three people.

It feels like a shared house, which is quite exciting.

But, the one who was even more excited than me was actually Aina.

The reason being,

"Mom, there are many types of matches, you see. The small ones over here cost 4 copper coins, and the big matches over here cost 55 copper coins."

"These small ones cost 4 copper coins, and the big ones cost 55 copper coins. Then, how much does this match cost?"

"Well, this is called 'Survival Matches,' and the price is...———"

Aina, with a serious face, was explaining the products and their prices in the store to Stella, using gestures and trying her best.

The reason Aina was explaining the products to Stella was very simple.

"Aina, you're doing a great job. I won't fall behind you; I'll become a great shop assistant too."

"Hehe, Aina won't fall behind either."

Stella would also be working at our store.

Currently, Aina and I alone can manage the store.

So why did I hire Stella?

The answer was in the words of Nye, who came as a messenger from the Adventurer's Guild 'Apostles of the Silver Moon.'

"We would like to set up a branch in the guild to coincide with the completion of the branch. Could we ask you to do this?"

After much consideration, I accepted Nye's proposal.

The building for the branch is already complete, and all that's left is to transport the personnel and supplies.

The Adventurer's Guild will open in less than 10 days.

By then, I need to have Stella work as a shop assistant, and I need to set up a branch inside the Adventurer's Guild.

More branches mean more revenue.

However, increasing the number of shop assistants is not easy.

I had thought that since Aina could read, write, and do calculations, others could too... but I was wrong. Completely wrong.

In this world, few people can read and write, and even fewer can do calculations.

In a small, frontier town like this, the ratio is even lower.

But I was lucky.

Stella, Aina's mother, was the one who taught Aina how to read, write, and calculate.

Upon learning this, I immediately offered Stella a job.

Would you like to work at my store?

Stella, who had been looking for a job after recovering from beriberi, happily accepted.

Now, she is giving a simple explanation of the products as part of the move.

Stella will start working tomorrow.

I need to step up as the store owner.

"Alright. Let's do our best!"

Just as I was getting motivated,

—Knock knock knock.

The store door was knocked on.

Then,

"Shiro, it's me. Karen."

The person knocking was Karen, the mayor.

I opened the door.

"Hello, Karen. We're closed today, but is there something you need?"

"Shiro, I'm glad you're here. I'm sorry for the sudden request, but could I have a moment of your time?"

When Karen asked this, I looked back at Aina and the others.

"Aina, will it be okay if I step out for a bit?"

"Sure. I'll teach mom a lot."

"Stella, is that okay?"

"Yes, please leave the store to Aina and me. Although, I'm still a new employee."

"Mom, Aina will be here, so it'll be fine."

"Since that's the case, you can rest assured."

"Hehe, thank you. I'll leave it to you for a bit."

I turned back to Karen.

"So, it's fine."

"I'm sorry. Aina, and Stella, I'll be borrowing Shiro for a while."

"Make sure to bring Shiro-nii back later."

"I promise."

Karen smiled gently.

"Alright, Shiro. The 'Apostles of the Silver Moon' branch that will be set up in this town will have a new Guild Master, who will be coming to greet us. I thought I'd introduce you as well."

"Oh, thank you for that. As someone who will be setting up a store inside the guild, I'd like to greet them."

"Hmm. I thought you'd say that, which is why I came. Can you go now?"

"I'll get ready right away."

Saying that, I tidied myself up.